Crow and Jay had trained together all afternoon but Jay was distracted and he could tell. She took hits where she shouldn't have and missed opportunities that she normally wouldn't have. He was worried about her, and he knew it had something to do with that new Cheap, the one she called Morgan.
When the Baton had finally dismissed them, they had gone to the washbasin and splashed water on their faces and necks, wiping away the blood and sweat that had accumulated throughout the day. "Come on," He murmured as they left the room, "We need to talk" He placed his hand on her waist and guided her towards the stairs as she just nodded numbly.
After a small while they arrived down at their haven. Crow sat her down on one of the crates before dragging another one over and sitting opposite her. "Talk." He said bluntly, and began cleaning his knives and crowbar. The crowbar didn't really need cleaning, he hadn't taken it off of his belt all day, but it was a soothing action he enjoyed.
Jay took one of her own knives out and played with it in her hands before she began to speak. "I didn't want to hurt him. I didn't think I could. And then… then… I almost killed him, Crow. If the Baton hadn't stopped me… I would have murdered a man who had been like a brother to me."
She looked away in shame, but her emotions paled in comparison to the overwhelming tide of guilt that swept across Crow's face. "Oh God. I didn't mean… I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking." Jay said quickly. He didn't say anything but his eyes were wide and distant. He was trapped in a memory, his darkest hour.
She got up and held him close to her, stroking her hand over the tense muscles of his back. After a few seconds he relaxed in her arms and his mind dragged itself back to the present. When he looked at her, he had tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry," She whispered softly, "I'm sorry."
No. Ghosts were not immune to emotions. Even though sometimes she wished they were.
They stayed like that for several long minutes, each drawing strength from the other. "I have to save him." Jay murmured, the side of her face pressed against his chest. She felt Crow nod. The stubble on his jaw scratched slightly against her forehead.
"I know."
"Will you help me?"
"What do you need?"
Jay could feel a plan taking form in her head, it was not a good one, and Crow wouldn't like it but for now it was all she could think of. All she knew was that she couldn't bring herself to attack Morgan again, not after this morning. "When you fight Morgan tomorrow, don't go easy on him. The Baton can't get suspicious."
Crow frowned in confusion. He wasn't going to fight Morgan tomorrow. "What do you mean? Jay, you know the Baton will choose you to continue testing him- you've got the best knife skills out of all of us."
"No. He won't." Jay said quietly. He was right, the Baton choosing her for testing tomorrow was inevitable. Unless she couldn't fight. If she could provoke one of the Watchers into getting her a stint in Medical, Crow was next best choice to fight. The Lieutenant wouldn't risk not treating a severe injury so close to the fight next week.
Crow looked down at her. He could read her like a book, just as she could him. He knew what she was planning, and he didn't like it. Fights were controlled, especially test fights. A Watcher beat-down was not. But he could see how the events of this morning were tearing her up inside, and tomorrow would only get worse. "Jay, be careful. Promise me."
